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Kieron Quirke's rating
, Plant's the star of this cult comedy perennial
By
Kieron Quirke
1 Dec 2006
Witty, slick and always eager to entertain, the cultish charms of Little Shop of Horrors are on full display at the Menier Chocolate Factory.
This is a production that will surprise no established fans, except with its incessant quality, and should win it a whole new raft of admirers.
Though it boasts a record off-Broadway run, this musical hasn't been seen in London for 20 years. Of course, that hasn't stopped its popularity growing. The patchy, Hollywoodised Rick Moranis film is one of those you drunkenly awake to in the small hours of the Christmas holidays, and amateur productions have kept its rental scripts in constant circulation these last two decades.
Yet the Menier have spared no expense to prove this show is worthy of greater recognition. Matthew White's production has little new about it.
It is no lighter, or darker, or more thoughtful than any film fan or amateur theatre buff would expect. Yet from the moment the prologue kicks in, rendered in perfect belting harmony by a low-life all-girl chorus of three, you feel in exceptionally safe hands.
The story is of Seymour (Paul Keating), a shop-boy whose prospects soar when he discovers a plant of uncertain strain. The complication is that the plant's favoured nutrient is human flesh. The B-movie plot is, naturally, only there to be undermined and the actors assiduously extract giggles from the hoary gags. Jasper Britton enjoys himself too much in a variety of supporting roles, but triumphs in his main cameo, giving the manic, sadist Dentist a slightly pathetic aged rebel quality. Sheridan Smith is the audience's favourite, provoking laughs seemingly at will as Seymour's ditsy love interest.
The silliness bleeds into Alan Menken's pastiche-packed score. Doo-Wop and Motown are the main influences, the chorus's "shang-a-langs" a perpetual reminder that nothing is to be taken seriously. Of course, the irony can grate, and the tunes get repetitive. The sweet hymn to suburban life, Somewhere Green, and the love duet Suddenly Seymour are welcome breaks in the parody.
Yet it is the plant, brought to life by animatronics and puppetry and voiced by Mike McShane, that inevitably dominates the show, growing over the evening from a seedling into a vegetative Gargantua that fills most of the stage. It's impressive, a worthy centre-piece to a production which shows that, although this musical has its faults, it can still make a classy, fun show.
Until 25 February (020 7907 7060). www.menierchocolatefactory.com
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (2)
Gotta say, Lee those aren't major revelations.
- Scott, London, 01/12/2006 13:40
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"This is a production that will surprise no established fans" says the critic, well I have to say they have departed from some usual conventions of the show. For example the street urchins are nearly always played by three black women reminicent of the Supremes, not so this time. The direction is significantly diferent than usual too, for example Sheridan Smith as Audrey sings "Somewhere thats Green" with tears in her eyes, as if she knows that it is a dream that she will never have. Seymour is not portrayed as the nerd he usually is, Paul Keating gives a much more natural and affecting performance than that. I have seen many different productions over the years and I have to say this is my favourite, lets hope for a West End Transfer.
- Lee Wilson, London. UK, 01/12/2006 13:20
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